Granny Stitch in Colour: Tips for Stripes, Patterns & Clean Colour Changes
One of the reasons the granny stitch has endured for so long is its flexibility. Add colour, and it becomes a powerful new design tool — capable of bold geometric graphics or subtle patterning, depending on how you use it.
Working granny stitch in different colours doesn’t have to mean lots of loose ends or complicated planning. With a few thoughtful techniques, colour can feel just as calm and controlled as working in a single shade.
If you’ve already mastered the basics (you can revisit our Modern Granny Stitch Guide if you need a refresher), introducing colour is a natural next step.
Why Colour Works So Well With Granny Stitch
The structure of the granny stitch naturally creates spaces and repetition, which makes colour changes easy to manage. Even simple colour changes can have a big impact.
Granny stitch naturally highlights colour placement, making it easy to see how different combinations work together. With just a few colours, you can:
- Create patterns like stripes, diamonds, or hearts
- Add visual interest while keeping the underlying technique simple
Whether you prefer strong contrast or a softer, tonal palette, the stitch adapts beautifully.
Choosing Your Colours
Before you start, it helps to think about how you want the finished fabric to feel.
High-contrast colours create bold, graphic results and make patterns very clear. Closely related shades produce a more subtle effect, where the stitch texture and colour work together rather than competing.
If you’re new to working granny stitch in colour, starting with two colours is easier than juggling many at once.
Changing Colour at the End of a Row
If you’re new to colour, starting with stripes is a good approach. Changing colour at the end of a row keeps things tidy and helps you focus on consistency rather than complexity.
To keep the transition clean, the new colour is introduced on the final yarn over of the last stitch. This sets you up neatly for the next row without creating a visible step or knot.
1. Work your treble until you have 2 loops left on the hook.
2. Drop the old colour.
3. Pick up the new colour and pull it through the final 2 loops.
4. You're ready to continue crocheting in your new colour.
If you’re reusing a colour you’ve already worked with, you may choose to carry it up the side of your work rather than cutting it — just be careful not to pull it too tight, so the edge remains relaxed.
Experiment with adding one, two, or three stripes at a time, and try staggering them. Because granny stitch clusters are offset on alternate rows, even simple stripes can form interesting patterns without complex planning.
Creating Patterns with Colour
More complex-looking designs — such as hearts, diamonds, or geometric shapes — are often created purely through colour placement, not new stitches.
By changing colours at specific points and planning ahead, you can create striking patterns using the same basic granny stitch throughout. I've created a Granny Stitch Design chart so that you can sketch your own designs before giving these a go. You can download this here and print out at home.
Carrying and Floating Yarn
If you’ll need a colour again later in the same row, it doesn’t always make sense to cut it.
Instead, the non-working yarn can be floated across the back or top of the work and secured by crocheting over it. Because granny stitch has open spaces, these floats can sometimes peek through. To prevent this, the floats are picked up and hidden on the following row.
Keeping floats loose and level with the row below helps maintain even tension and prevents puckering when they’re pulled up and concealed on the next row.
A common technique is to:
1. Lay the unused colour along the top of the row you are working into, creating a small float at the back.
2. Crochet over it, encasing it inside your stitches.
3. When you need it again, simply pick it up working the colour change as above.
On the next row:
4. When you work your trebles into the spaces, make sure to insert your hook under that loose float as well. This pulls it up and hides it completely inside the new stitches.
In order to completely hide the floats, when performing step 2, I only secure the non working yarn on the second treble of the granny stitch cluster. That way, the strands are concealed behind the other treble stitches. On the following row, I crochet over these floats with all 3 treble stitches of the cluster.
I've put together a video tutorial that teaches the technique so that you can apply this to your own designs.
Working With Multiple Colours in One Row
As your confidence grows, you may find yourself working with more than one floated yarn at a time.
The principle stays the same, but tension becomes more important. Relaxing your grip slightly allows the fabric to remain flexible and prevents puckering. As you move along the row, it’s worth checking whether all colours still need to be carried — if not, dropping one can simplify things.
When a Colour Isn’t Where You Expect It
Occasionally, the colour you need isn’t close at hand.
If it’s only a short distance away, floating it across can be a practical solution. If it’s several rows back and the wrong side will be visible, cutting and rejoining may give a cleaner result, even if it creates a few extra ends.
There’s no single right answer here — the best choice depends on the project and how the finished piece will be used.
Colour as a Design Choice
Colour in granny stitch doesn’t have to be loud to be effective. Simple changes — a repeating stripe, a single contrasting motif, or a carefully placed accent colour — can transform a familiar stitch into something personal, modern, and uniquely your own.
FAQ's
Is granny stitch good for colourwork?
Yes. Granny stitch is especially well suited to colourwork because it’s worked in clusters and spaces rather than individual stitches. This makes colour changes clearer, more forgiving, and easier to manage.
How many colours should I start with?
If you’re new to colourwork, two colours is ideal. This keeps things manageable while still allowing you to experiment with pattern and placement.
What’s the easiest way to add colour to granny stitch?
Changing colour at the end of a row — for example, working stripes — is the simplest approach. It keeps edges neat and helps you focus on tension and consistency.
Can I change colour mid-row in granny stitch?
Yes. Mid-row colour changes are what allow you to create motifs like hearts, diamonds, and geometric patterns. These designs rely on colour placement rather than new stitches.
Should I cut the yarn every time I change colour?
Not always. If you’ll need the colour again soon, carrying or floating the yarn can reduce the number of ends to weave in. The best approach depends on the design and whether the wrong side will be visible.
Will floated yarn show through my work?
Because granny stitch has open spaces, floats can sometimes peek through. Picking them up and crocheting over them on the following row helps hide them completely and keeps the fabric neat. Watch our video for tips on hiding those floats.
Is granny stitch colourwork suitable for beginners?
Yes — once you’re comfortable with the basic granny stitch, colourwork is a natural next step. Starting with stripes or simple patterns is a great way to build confidence.